‘Alden Ehrenreich Talks ‘Weapons’: Mustache Acting, Shadowing Cops, and Gun Violence Message

CAUTION: SPOILERS AHEAD: This text discusses minor plot details of the movie “Weapons,” currently showing in cinemas.

As the first weekend unfolds, Zach Cregger’s innovative horror film “Weapons” is not just delivering spooky scares and dark comedy. It is also showcasing the adaptable talents of its renowned cast within an entirely fresh screenplay.

The film features unexpectedly intense performances by Amy Madigan, Josh Brolin, Benedict Wong, and Julia Garner. Another notable performance is by Alden Ehrenreich, formerly celebrated as a Coen Brothers’ muse and a Star Wars franchise hopeful. In “Weapons,” Ehrenreich captivates as a small-town police officer grappling with the mysterious overnight disappearance of 17 local children.

Ehrenreich’s character, Paul, is stuck in an unwanted marriage, working under his father-in-law who is the sheriff, and periodically relapsing into substance abuse with his former lover and fellow disaster, portrayed by Garner. They are both unprepared for the supernatural elements that escalate their everyday self-destructive behaviors into a horrifying fight for survival. In a conversation with The Bangin Beats, Ehrenreich discussed the film’s symbolic elements, which have sparked considerable debate on social media, his role preparation including sporting a mustache, and the physical and emotional challenges of his character.

Did Zach Cregger cast you and Josh Brolin in “Weapons” because of your roles in “Hail, Caesar!”?

Yes, that film definitely put me on Zach’s radar as an actor, though I’m not sure about Josh. I came across the script for “Weapons” quite early on and was immediately struck by its brilliance. Every character is vividly delineated in their own distinct worlds. It transcends the typical genre film in terms of its uniqueness and quality. Meeting Zach was great, and despite industry strikes and other hurdles, I feel fortunate that everything lined up for me to participate in this project.

Is the mustache real, or was it part of your method acting?

The mustache is real. Initially, I was against it because it seemed too stereotypical, but after seeing a photo of myself sporting one and conducting a screen test, it felt appropriate for the character.

Did you participate in police ride-alongs as part of your preparation?

I did. Spending a night with a police officer in Long Beach and discussing the job with another officer from a smaller community provided great insights. The experience in Long Beach was particularly eye-opening. I visited the officer’s home, where his wife kindly helped demonstrate arrest techniques, and later, we visited a bar frequented by police officers.

The film mixes genres and includes a lot of physical action. How did this affect your portrayal?

One aspect we focused on was the physical and emotional burden carried by my character. Despite the hot Atlanta weather, I wore a bulletproof vest throughout filming and even gained weight, not just to look the part of a cop, but to represent someone burdened by a life that doesn’t fit him—a theme that Zach uniquely brings to life. Francis Ford Coppola once advised me that personal stories translate into unprecedented originality on screen, a philosophy evident in this film.

What message do you think Zach is conveying through “Weapons”?

It’s hard to distill the film into a single message; it feels more like a vivid dream or a poem. For example, a scene involving a gun materializing in the sky seems to symbolically address the issue of gun violence in schools. While Zach hasn’t explicitly confirmed this interpretation, the connection appears poetically clear. The personal touches throughout the film, as pointed out by Julia during our press tour, suggest that filmmakers should embrace personal storytelling, which resonates as both original and authentic.

You’ve recently transformed a historic Los Angeles trolley station into a theater. How is that venture progressing?

It’s been quite remarkable. Over the past six months, we’ve held a soft opening with staged readings and are gearing up for our first full production this spring. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Our aim is to create a space for artistic experimentation reminiscent of an Off-Broadway theater, which has led to the launch of an acting class and a playwright’s circle.

Has this new endeavor influenced your own acting and professional approach?

Definitely. Managing this space has made me as accountable to the local artistic community as to a broader commercial audience. It has compelled us to define our artistic values and the manner in which we want to work. Personally, it’s grounded me in a way that the transient life of an actor typically doesn’t, providing a tangible sense of contribution and maturity.